Local government workers accept pay offer

The
T & G union has described a 3.5 per cent pay deal for local government
workers as a "wise move" by employers.

The
union said the inflation busting pay offer will avoid industrial action by the
1.2 million workers who will be affected by the deal.

Jack
Dromey, national organiser at the T & G union, said, “The package which has
been negotiated will actually mean a pay increase of over 4 per cent for tens
of thousands of some of the lowest paid workers in local government.”

The
pay offer is backdated to 1 April this year and the unions involved will put
the offer to their members during a consultation process which will conclude on
June 1, 2001.

The
pay negotiations have been carried out through the National Joint Council for
Local Government Services.